Mount Washington Hits 161 MPH Winds as Avalanche Warning Covers White Mountains

Strong winds pummeled Mount Washington this weekend, with speeds reaching a massive 161 mph. Combined with recent snowfall, these conditions led the Mount Washington Avalanche Center to issue an emergency warning through Tuesday morning across New Hampshire's Presidential Range and White Mountains.

The peak hasn't seen winds this strong since 2017. The combination of powerful gusts and fresh snow has created dangerous conditions throughout the backcountry areas.

Officials identified four key danger zones: Huntington Ravine, Tuckerman Ravine, Gulf of Slides, and the Great Gulf. Snow packed by wind has built up in these areas, pushing avalanche risks to dangerous levels.

To improve safety, the Avalanche Center has expanded its monitoring to include Vermont and Baxter State Park. This expanded coverage helps outdoor enthusiasts stay informed about mountain dangers.

Records show avalanches typically happen between January and May, with March and April seeing half of all reported slides.

Safety teams monitor two particularly dangerous areas. While Tuckerman Ravine and Huntington Ravine are popular with adventurers, their steep slopes often lead to dangerous avalanches.

Whiteout conditions make things even more risky. Heavy winds blow snow around, making it hard to see dangerous terrain.

These mountains have seen tragedy before. Past accidents pushed officials to improve warning systems and add more monitoring spots.

Mountain officials are asking everyone to stay away from these areas until the winds calm down. They remind people to check weather reports before heading to the mountains.

Patrol teams are watching the snow layers closely now. New snow sitting on top of old snow creates unstable conditions, especially on the steep sides of ravines.